streptomycin intramuscular

This medication can sometimes cause serious nerve damage, possibly resulting in permanent hearing loss and balance problems. The risk is higher if you have kidney disease, if you are receiving high doses of this medication, if you use this drug for a long time, if you are an older adult (e.g., older than 60 years), or if you develop a severe loss of body water (become dehydrated). To reduce the risk of dehydration, drink plenty of fluids while using this medication unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Before starting streptomycin, tell your doctor if you already have kidney or hearing problems.

Your doctor will monitor your progress to reduce the risk of these side effects and may test your hearing, kidneys, and streptomycin blood level. This medication may be stopped if you develop kidney problems or hearing problems.

Uses

This medication is used with other medications to treat active tuberculosis (TB) infection if you cannot take other drugs for TB or if you have a type of TB that cannot be treated with other drugs (drug-resistant TB). Streptomycin belongs to a class of drugs known as aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by killing the organisms that cause the infection.

This drug may also be used to treat other serious infections (e.g., Mycobacterium avium complex-MAC, tularemia, endocarditis, plague) along with other medications.

How to use streptomycin intramuscular

This medication is given by injection, usually into a muscle as directed by your doctor. When you start treatment for TB, it is usually given once a day or as directed by your doctor. It is important to change the location of the injection site daily to avoid problem areas under the skin. If you have any questions about using this medication properly, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosage is based on the kind of infection, your weight, medical condition, streptomycin blood levels, and side effects. How often you receive injections and the length of your treatment will depend on the type of infection you have and your response to treatment.

If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

Medication to treat tuberculosis is usually used for 9 months or longer. After you receive streptomycin daily for 1 to 2 months, your doctor may direct you to receive this medication less often (e.g., 2 to 3 times a week). Your doctor may direct you to stop using this medication before stopping your other TB medications. It is very important to continue using streptomycin and your other medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Do not stop taking this medication (or other TB medicines/antibiotics) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may worsen side effects or make the infection (especially TB) more difficult to treat (resistant). If TB becomes resistant to this medication, it might also become resistant to other TB medications. This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, be sure to keep all appointments for receiving this drug.

Tell your doctor immediately if your infection symptoms return (e.g., fever, chills, body aches) while you are using this medication or after you stop using it.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, or loss of appetite may occur. Pain/irritation/redness may occur at the injection site. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: muscle weakness, persistent diarrhea even after stopping this medication, easy bleeding/bruising, fast heartbeat, new signs of infections (e.g., high fever, persistent cough), change in the amount of urine, unusual tiredness.

Precautions

See also Warning section.

Before using streptomycin injection, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., tobramycin, gentamicin); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, hearing problems, severe loss of body water (dehydration), a certain muscle problem (myasthenia gravis), burns over a large area of skin, cystic fibrosis.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

Caution is advised when using this drug in older adults because they may have decreased kidney function. Therefore, older adults may be more sensitive to the kidney and hearing side effects.

Streptomycin is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details.

Interactions

See also Warning section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

This drug should not be used with certain live bacterial vaccines (e.g., BCG, typhoid) because the vaccines may not be effective. If you have recently received or are planning to receive any vaccinations, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting streptomycin.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: amphotericin B, high doses of aspirin/NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen.

If your doctor has directed you to take low doses of aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue to take the aspirin. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Although most antibiotics probably do not affect hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring, some antibiotics may decrease their effectiveness. This could cause pregnancy. Examples include rifamycins such as rifampin or rifabutin. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while using this antibiotic.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms may include: extreme drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, inability to move.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney tests, hearing tests, streptomycin levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.

Storage

Store unmixed medication at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, expect as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

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